Texas Rangers transactions: Kyle Dowdy has hit the injured list with a right elbow impingement. The Rangers are recalling LHP Brett Martin from Triple-A Nashville to fill Dowdy’s spot in the bullpen.
Dowdy came to Texas as a waiver claim late in spring training. As a Rule 5 draftee from the Mets via the Indians, Dowdy has to remain on the roster throughout the year or be offered back to Cleveland.
The Rangers haven’t really shown a proclivity for manipulating injuries to hide away players, as seen by Carlos Tocci’s run on the roster last year, but they could be using the injured list to get Dowdy some time away after putting him through the paces of a big league season thus far. After all, every player has some wear and tear virtual at all times.
It hasn’t been an easy go of it for Dowdy as he’s allowed 18 earned runs in his 22 innings of big league experience but the Rangers obviously like his arm and want to continue to see if they can survive the season with him on the 40-man roster.
As for Martin, he’s also had his struggles in the big league ‘pen with 12 earned runs allowed in his 15 innings of work. However, the 2014 4th rounder for Texas had a great spring and continued to pitch well for Nashville before making his MLB debut in late April. Martin was the pitcher optioned back to Nashville when Shawn Kelley was activated on May 21 following throat surgery.
In 12 2⁄3 innings for Nashville this season, Martin is sporting a 0.71 ERA with 19 Ks to just 4 walks.